JON MACKEN is ready to crank up the pressure on out-of-form strikers Nicolas Anelka and Robbie Fowler.

The Blues' é5m hitman has finally shrugged off a season blighted by injury to throw down his own marker in the fight for a spot in Kevin Keegan's starting line-up.

Judging by the reaction from the stands against Middlesbrough on Saturday, when he stepped out in front of a Maine Road crowd for the first time this season, Macken has already won the battle for Blues hearts and minds.

Now the 25-year-old former Preston man is hoping to get his career back on track after starting just four games for City in 13 months.

"I have been on the sidelines for a long time and it was good to get back out there in front of the home supporters. Hopefully all the injuries are behind me and I can now push on," he said.

"There was no real extra pressure coming on and replacing Robbie Fowler and Nicolas Anelka. Shaun (Goater) and myself want to score goals and win football matches just like the rest of the lads. I thought the fans gave us a tremendous reception and I wish we could have found the winning goal for them.

Hopeful

"I have come on now in the last two games and hopefully it will be the start of a sustained run of action for me. I feel I am knocking on the door for a start. You are always doing that. If you come on as a substitute and perform well then you hope it is enough to keep you in the team.

"Hopefully the manager will weigh up what I have done in training and for the reserves and give me that chance. I don't feel there has been a reluctance to change things up front. Nicolas and Robbie are both likely to get you a goal at any stage in a game.

"They have gone through patches like this before when the goals have dried up. Once one goal comes along confidence will increase and they will blossom."

Matters at the other end of the pitch were highest on the priority list of skipper Sylvain Distin, who believes that only the second clean sheet this year and the successful switch to a 4-4-2 system have given the Blues something on which to build over the last five games.

"I think 4-4-2 is an easier system to play and allowed us to be more confident," he said. "Other people will judge whether it has been a success or not but I know we got a clean sheet and that is important."

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